Applegate plays lead in 'Rocker'

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Christina Applegate has been cast as the fe-male lead opposite Rainn Wilson in "The Rocker," which Peter Cattaneo is directing for Fox Atomic. Shawn Levy and Tom McNulty are producing via their 21 Laps Entertainment banner.

The film centers on a failed, over-the-hill drummer (Wilson) who, 20 years after getting booted out of his now uber-famous band, gets a second chance at fame with a new act, a high school garage band headed by his nephew (Josh Gad).

Applegate plays Wilson's love interest and the mother of the lead guitarist in the garage band.

Ryan Jaffe wrote the original screenplay, while Wallace Wolodarsky and Maya Forbes are penning the most recent draft.

Principal photography is set to begin June 18 in Toronto.

President of production Debbie Liebling is overseeing the project for Atomic.

This is Applegate's first film role since receiving a Tony nomination for her role as the title character in the Broadway musical "Sweet Charity." This fall she will star in the ABC comedy "Sam I Am." Her film credits include "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy," "The Sweetest Thing" and "Surviving Christmas."